Howard finds time to train in midst of All-Star festivities

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NEW ORLEANS – As stars that had filled the city were escorted past velvet ropes and throngs of fans packed French Quarter bars and restaurants, Dwight Howard left the madness on the other side of town for his own All Star weekend ritual.

For a second-consecutive late-night session of his own midnight madness, Howard took to the University of New Orleans weight room and practice court, putting himself through 90 minutes of lifting and shooting, pullup and drills.

“I did it last year. I did it this year. I’ve been doing it for a while,” Howard said of his early Friday and Saturday workouts, as if there was nothing unusual about opting against taking a break during the All Star break.

Asked why he – joined by Rockets rookie Robert Covington for the early Saturday session – chose to work rather than play, Howard said too much was at stake to slow down even for a weekend crowded with All Star appearances and obligations.

“First, we have a very important season,” Howard said. “Second, you can’t just stop working because it’s All-Star weekend and everybody’s taking breaks. That doesn’t mean I need to take a break. I want to go out there and practice, try to make myself better for the second half of the season.

“We’ve done that for the most part of the season. Me and (Rockets assistant player development coach) Derrick Alston and (Rockets assistant coach) Greg Buckner, we’re always in the gym at night. We go back and work out every night and we’ve been doing that I would say for a good two, three months. It’s something I enjoy doing, it’s something that has made me a lot better and we’re going to continue to do it.”

Still, the All Star break would have seemed to be a chance to kick back, especially with the Rockets having two practice days before starting a back-to-back Wednesday in Los Angeles against the Lakers. Howard, however, said priorities do not take a break.

“We just want to make sure we stay in shape,” Howard said. “Three days off is not good for us. We’ve got to make sure we keep our bodies in order while we’re here. We can have our fun and go out and do whatever you want to do, but you’ve still got to focus on what’s most important which is the season.”